In Her Defence
In Her Defence
The Globe and Mail
What happens when one of the “good guys” turns out to be a bad guy? The highly-acclaimed true crime podcast series In Her Defence returns this fall with In Her Defence: Breach of Trust. This seven-episode season explores the case of Sgt. Robert Semenchuck, a Regina police officer who preyed on hundreds of vulnerable women using information from police databases. Some of those women risked it all to expose him, and hold him accountable. But would the system punish one of its own? Hosted by award-winning crime reporter Jana G. Pruden, and based on more than 50 hours of exclusive interviews with dozens of women, police officers, lawyers and legal experts, In Her Defence: Breach of Trust reveals serious gaps in the way law enforcement agencies in Canada are policing themselves, and the serious harm women are suffering as a result. Launching September 2026. Follow In Her Defence now, so you don’t miss an episode.
Introducing In Her Defence: Breach of Trust
What happens when one of the “good guys” turns out to be a bad guy? A Regina police officer preyed on hundreds of vulnerable women using information from police databases. Some of those women risked it all to expose him and hold him accountable. But would the system punish one of its own? The acclaimed true crime series In Her Defence returns this fall with In Her Defence: Breach of Trust. First episode is out this September. Follow now, so you don’t miss an episode. This season’s theme song is Black Horses by BirdBelly. Show art is by Celeste Woods.
Jun 22
3 min
The Decibel: How to make a true crime podcast
In this bonus episode, we share Jana's interview with The Decibel's Menaka Raman-Wilms. Follow The Decibel for more stories from The Globe and Mail's newsroom, delivered to you every weekday morning.
Nov 18, 2024
23 min
Persevere, keep trying, don’t give up  / âhkamêyimok
What was Amber doing when she disappeared? Police provide some new information about the rest of the phone call, and their investigation. Amber’s mother faces a serious new threat, but vows to keep fighting. Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at [email protected] Learn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder. Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649. Support for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca. In Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.
Oct 28, 2024
39 min
The Voice / ni nisitawinawâw
The release of the voice brings out a flood of tips and suspects. Experts study the tape for clues about the voice, while police come to realize the recording doesn’t have the investigative value they once hoped. Amber’s biological brother says he knows who killed Amber. Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at [email protected] Learn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01 Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder. Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649. Support for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca In Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.
Oct 21, 2024
32 min
Blatant Failures / mâmâsîs ê-tôtahkik
A notorious serial killer prompts a broad reckoning around the murder of Indigenous women and girls in Canada. Amber’s family files an official complaint around how her missing persons investigation was handled, and a review of the case forces a public apology — with an unexpected twist. Questions persist about Evangeline, the last person known to have seen Amber alive. Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at [email protected] Learn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01 Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder. Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649. Support for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca. In Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.
Oct 14, 2024
29 min
What the trees know /  kîkwây mîtosak ê-kiskêyihtahkik
Police decide to release the tape to the public, hoping someone will recognize the voice of the man who was with Amber when she disappeared. Amber’s remains are found in a field outside the city, close to where four other women have been found, raising the spectre of a serial killer. A raven visits. Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at [email protected] Learn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01 Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder. Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649. Support for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca In Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.
Oct 7, 2024
33 min
Home / wîkihk
Amber’s cousin gives us a tour of Fort Chipewyan, the northern Alberta community where Amber was raised. We learn about Amber’s life before she disappeared, and about the threats that were facing Indigenous women in Edmonton. The police investigation changes significantly after the discovery of a recorded phone call that seems to record the final moments of Amber’s life – and the voice of the man who may be her killer. E-mail the reporter, Jana Pruden, at [email protected] Learn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder. Individuals affected by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649. Support for families affected by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca In Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.
Sep 30, 2024
32 min
Missing / ê-wanihiht
Amber Tuccaro flies south to Edmonton with her baby and a new friend, and vanishes. Amber’s family doesn’t trust the police investigation, and her relatives and friends do everything they can to find her and bring attention to her case. Police find a stunning piece of evidence. E-mail the reporter, Jana Pruden, at [email protected] Learn more about this podcast at www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder. Individuals affected by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649. Support for families affected by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca In Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.
Sep 30, 2024
33 min
Introducing In Her Defence: 50th Street
Do you recognize this man’s voice? Coming this fall, In Her Defence: 50th Street investigates the unsolved murder of Amber Tuccaro, who disappeared from the Edmonton area in 2010. Amber left an important clue: A haunting recording of what appear to be the final moments of her life – and the voice of the man who may be her killer. Do you have information about Amber’s murder? Contact reporter Jana Pruden at [email protected] or by phone/ text at 780-265-5262 The portrait of Amber is by Lauren Crazybull. The show’s theme song is “No Surrender” by Ms.PAN!K
May 6, 2024
3 min
Crime Story: An in-depth interview with Jana Pruden
In this special bonus episode, our host Jana Pruden sits down with Crime Story’s Kathleen Goldhar to discuss the question, “How should we deal with women who kill their abusers?” You can listen to more incredible tales of true crime every week on Crime Story. Find them in your podcast app, or here: https://link.chtbl.com/DreYfAFB Plus, details of In Her Defence season 2 are coming soon!
Apr 22, 2024
46 min
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